15 Best Heavy Metal Songs Of 2016 (So Far)

11. Kvelertak - 1985

Just three albums deep and this Norwegian metal act are quickly becoming a key player in the metal scene. Largely thanks to 2013's genre-defying release Meir, Kvelertak have garnered quite a following and there's good reason for it too...

The lead single '1985' from their upcoming LP Nattesferd is a breath of fresh air. It's mostly led along by some fantastic guitar harmonies, giving it a real feel good vibe that has been largely missing in metal this year. Frontman Erlend Hjelvik once again lends his rasping howls to the song, providing the perfect contrast to the bright, upbeat instrumentation.

They keep it simple but throw in some curveballs along the way like some neat drum-fills and a melodic guitar solo, but really, the sunny tones are enough to carry this one to the finishing line.

These medieval mystics continue to go from strength to strength, and with lead single '1985', they show that they don't even need brute strength to achieve it.